Chris Houston had one on Sunday. When an NFL cornerback has a bad day, everyone notices — coaches, teammates and every Lions’ fan in Detroit and beyond.

The Detroit Lions cornerback was benched for the first time he can remember after giving up a pair of touchdowns.

Then, on Monday, after coach Jim Schwartz had time to think about it, he would not confirm if Houston remains a starter.

The coach doesn’t like to talk about his depth chart, but it seems like Houston could use a boost of confidence. He wasn’t getting it from Schwartz on Monday, although Schwartz reiterated how tough the position is to play.

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“Confidence means a lot for corners, you’re out there on an island,’’ Schwartz said. “I’ve said a lot of times I think it’s physically the most difficult thing to do in sports. To be out there on that island and have to cover the way the rules are and defend the guys in the passing game you’ve got to defend.’’

Houston was covering Cincinnati’s A.J. Green, one of the NFL’s best young wide receivers, when Green scored on an 82-yard pass play on the Bengals’ first possession.

Then, later, Houston was on Marvin Jones when Jones scored on a 12-yard play.

“Hedidn’t play his best game for sure, the touchdown early, but then some other plays too,’’ Schwartz said. “He can definitely play better and he has before and we’ll need him to.’’

If the Lions hadn’t signed veteran corner Rashean Mathis in mid-August, the secondary would be in a heap of trouble.

Mathis has been solid, had three pass break-ups and couldn’t finish the game due to a lingering groin injury.

Rookie Darius Slay lost his starting job to Mathis after the first two games, but has been improving week by week.

When Houston was benched, Slay got in and made an impact.

“He stepped in and did some good things,’’ Schwartz said. “He allowed one completion, he had bad technique on that play. He played physical and went in and did his job.’’

Slay, a second-round draft pick, was expected to contribute right away. It’s tough to be a rookie starting in the NFL. But compared to Week One, you can see his growth.

“He’s an improving player, he’s definitely trending the right way,’’ Schwartz said of Slay. “And there’s some things he does very well and some things he’s still working on — like a lot of players.’’

Slay has been taking advantage of more reps in practice as Mathis nurses that groin.

Houston went back in during the fourth quarter once Mathis could no longer go. Houston took full blame for the loss.

Of course it wasn’t all his fault, but the Lions need a better performance from him.

Seven games in, safeties Louis Delmas and Glover Quin have been the saving grace of the secondary. Each had a solid effort against the Bengals and each made a huge play.

Delmas ran down Giovani Bernard on a third-and-10 play, limiting him to five yards and forcing the Bengals to punt.

Quin broke up a pass to Green deep down the middle. It was a move that prevented a touchdown and forced a punt.

With a little help from his teammates, Houston should bounce back this Sunday against the Dallas Cowboys.

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